“That would be great,” I admitted. “I was a bit rushed this morning.”
“I feel that,” she said sympathetically as she offered me a pen. “I thought I would be late today because there was this entire security thing at the front of the building. I have no idea what’s going on, but it has to be something big. I think one of them even had an FBI vest.”
I offered her an awkward smile. “Yeah, that’s sort of my bad.”
Her eyes went round. “All of that is for you? Why?”
“Long story,” I hedged. “They are being protective.”
“Who are they?” She arched her brow, looking amused. “I mean the security, obviously, but are your parents someone important or something?”
“Something.” I shrugged. “But that’s mostly because of my boyfriends.”
I didn’t correct myself with the plural, and she just shook her head and offered a sly smile. “Girl, I have a feeling you have some crazy life… Which means we need to be friends and have coffee so I can hear all about it.”
“That would be cool,” I agreed, trying to ignore the giddy excitement at the idea of having a friend.
The instructor’s voice rang out, and I immediately refocused on the front of the classroom, relaxing more into my seat. I had no doubt, absolutely none, that there were plenty of people in here who were not only shocked to see me but probably letting their friends know or trying to take photos. I couldn’t think about that though. I couldn’t let it affect me.
I was learning that I should probably stay away from social media in general since Dermot’s Instagram had been the last thing to seriously mess with my anxiety. I had actually told him about that this morning…
“Can you text King, baby girl? Just tell him I will let him know when we leave campus,” Dermot asked as he drove down the long road that led away from Wildberry Lane, following three SUVs and trailed by three more. I had said goodbye to all the boys before leaving, and I was already missing them after only moments. I picked up his phone to send the text, unlocking it with my fingerprint and remembering that I very much needed to ask about that.
“When did you add my fingerprint?” I asked softly.
“When you were sleeping,” Dermot admitted. It was after I found you during the social media attack.”
“Why?”
“Because I never want there to be anything between us.”
“Oh,” I whispered and looked down, figuring I should be truthful. “The other night, before Stratton found me, I… I was having a panic attack. I had opened your phone and went onto your Instagram—”
I peeked up and found him looking at me with concern.
“I saw that picture from a bit ago with those girls, and I got insecure about holding the attention of six men,” I murmured.
Dermot’s hand moved to tilt my chin as he came to a stop, pausing the entire motorcade, his eyes searching mine. “First of all, Dahlia, never doubt the attraction or attention you hold. You’re everything, baby girl, and absolutely priceless.” My face flamed with color as he continued, “But more than that, no one—and I mean absolutely no one—meant anything to me before you.”
“And the girls on your social media?” I asked softly.
“Consider them deleted. I’ll fill it with so many pictures of you, people will think it’s your account. But I will keep it private because I’m a selfish bastard.”
I let out a small laugh and intertwined my hand with his. “Were they people you dated?”
I wasn’t positive I wanted to know.
“I’ve never dated anyone,” he responded seriously.
“Okay, hooked up—”
Dermot leaned over and kissed me, speaking softly. “Despite what is probably assumed, I have been with very few women, and I have never considered dating someone, let alone starting an entire life together.” He focused his emerald gaze down on my lips before moving it up again, a haunted shadow passing through his eyes. “Outside of that, I was a bit more focused on handling my father. I didn’t have time for dating.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t help but smile at that, but then frowned. “Dermot, I’m glad your father’s dead. I’m glad Ian’s dead.”
Dermot let out a hum of agreement. “Yeah, baby girl, I am too.”
Honestly, despite it sounding weak, his words had gone a long way to making me feel better about the situation. Those happy thoughts allowed me to focus on the class, and I found myself so engrossed in what I was learning that I didn’t even realize the time until Ms. Dempsey ended the lesson and people started packing up. When I went to stand up, I turned to return the pen to my new friend.